Speaker Series: Leigh Brasington

I recommend Ajahn Brahm for jhanas. This method is not the correct version presented in suttas.

Buddha never taught that by concentrating (however deep or absorbed) Nibbana can be realized.

The jhana that Buddha taught is the cultivation of wholesomeness in preparing the mind so it is able to see the roots of our Dukkha and eliminate them completely.

The absorption jhanas (in which our mind focusing/concentrating on object of meditation and become absorbed/glued with that object) will never make us awaken. This absorption method is the one that Prince Siddharta abandoned after learning and achieving the jhanic states explained by Alara kalama and Uddakha Ramaputta.

The jhanas that buddha taught is pretty much different. The aim is not concentration but cultivation of wholesomeness (bhavana) and in the same time developing and perfecting insignt (vipassana).

This is excellent. Talking points helped my meditation. Thank you.

This is without doubt one of THE most important videos I have ever watched. For reasons which a far too complex and personal to explain Leigh has allowed me to breakthrough a barrier whcih has held me for at least 10 and maybe 20 or more years! Thank you so much Leigh and for the wonderful karma that brings your teaching into my world. It has taken me several days to listen to the talk and I have seen changes already. I am so grateful.

I absolutely loved that he takes a more scientific approach to non dualism. This is the video you can show people that wont have them yelling woo woo.

I like how he tries to break down what's going on in the brain

Relevant question: why focus on the breath and when it subsides turn to pleasant sensation? Why not go directly to pleasant sensation ? Seems to me like a shortcut.

Just like I willingly concentrate on and enjoy a video game, I willingly and almost naturally concentrate on a pleasant sensation... for me the concentration on a pleasant object acts like a catalyst for concentration by channeling my innate "craving" for pleasant sensations and thereby quenches distractions. At the same time it lets me experience a diminishing return effect that sates my cravings for pleasure and leaves me equanimous.

Loved the talk! I particularly appreciate the attempt at rigor brought to meditation. Having said that, I am not at this point so willing to accept the idea that materialism can completely explain the mind. To say that Buddha may have delusions left or may have lied about Nirvana is quite a lofty claim.

None of the Arahants have ever gone on to dispute the teachings of the Buddha.

Thanks for uploading this 🧠

Useless. States of mind oh Subhūti. ;) As a psychedelic ranger I eschewed opioids. Having spent quite some time meditating while on acid, sometimes rather large amounts I can tell you the various states are a trap.


The universe is one thing, more importantly one mind. It is your mind. The difference between understanding this and not understanding this is rather large.

This guy the bomb. No bs, just facts. Way effective. Nice delivery—authentic, modest, right on. Thanks!

Can I say that the speaker have attain arahantship since he can get to 4th jhana like i read about it, or is there any
thing which i have said is wrong?? Please say something.

You know this is such a great talk. He takes the mystique out of the topic, which is important in practice and discussion.

Whats up my man? How are you?! I love your drive and motivation to become an influencer I know I can help build your online influence lets connect via instagram @thomasmesen

He doesn't even correctly understand basic Pāḷi terms.
He claims incredibly high and difficult attainments (all eight jhānas) when in reality he probably hasn't even reached the 1st jhāna, but has convinced himself that he has reached jhānas by misinterpreting Pāḷi terms and Sutta passages.

Outstanding, practical, and simple talk! I very much appreciate this! I wish Leigh would have talked a bit about the state of Nirvana (the condition-less state) since he seems to explain things in such a simple way anyone can understand. Does anyone know if there is any other talk by Leigh where the touches that subject?

beautiful

Can I use the feeling of love/metta (bgr) as my object of concentration? Thank you. :)

Sadhu, Sadhu, Sadhu

I really appreciated this intelligent talk on the jhanas. I think it really brave that Leigh welcomed questions...not easy ones to answer and I can understand his failure to adequately answer some of them. The jhanas - just like Buddhism on the whole - is intended to be practiced and checked against ones own experience. No ammount of asking questions and being reassured will be a suitable substitute for actually getting down to the practice and tasting the states for oneself.

This is an outstanding description of the Jhanas!

helped me ..thanks

There is annoying as fuck high-pitched noise going in the background of the lecture, though only at the very end. Other than that, dope as fuck!

Very good lecture......Clear,helpful and to the point.....

very very good lesson! :) love it!